Sports complex referendum ordinance Tuesday

First reading to be taken at Tuesday council meeting

First reading of an ordinance to place a referendum question on construction of a recreation facility on the November general election ballot will be on the table at Camden City Council’s meeting Tuesday.

The question -- “Should the City of Camden continue with plans to construct a recreation facility and partner with a third party to administer the facility?” -- is the result of a lengthy battle by those who question the use of hospitality tax to build a recreation facility and who favor a referendum as the deciding factor on whether the facility should be built.

Also Tuesday, council will consider an ordinance Tuesday to change the time of its second monthly meeting from 8:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month to 6:30 p.m.

Council’s first meeting of the month -- held on the second Tuesday -- already begins at 6:30 p.m. According to the ordinance, the change is proposed because council “finds it would be more convenient and allow greater access to the public if both meetings of each month were held after regular business hours.”

• An ordinance for a new bond issue not to exceed $2,660,000 on the balance of an existing bond to maximize on a more favorable interest rate will come before council. The estimated savings from the original 5 percent interest to a current estimated rate of 2.4 percent is projected to be $490,000.

• Consideration of first reading of an ordinance approving the financing for the construction, upgrade and expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment facility at a cost of $36.5 million is scheduled.

A bid award of $34.6 million to State Utility Contractors Inc. of Monroe, N.C., for construction of the new wastewater treatment plant will be proposed.

• Council will consider a resolution to adopt a strategic plan for the upcoming year.

• An executive session for council to receive legal advice concerning pending litigation and to receive information on a personnel matter is scheduled.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Camden City Hall, 1000 Lyttleton St., Camden.